The history of attempted LNG development in the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay.
Created by spb on Jun 14, 2011
Last updated: 05/08/12 at 02:46 PM
Tags: LNG Save Passamaquoddy Bay liquefied natural gas
Liberty Natural Gas LNG import proposal offshore from New Jersey withdrew from the MARAD permitting process. That leaves Downeast LNG as the sole remaining LNG import proposal in the entire continent of North America. All other LNG developers have recognized the lack of need for additional import infrastructure.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=USCG-2010-0993-0112
FERC dismissed Calais LNG from federal permitting for failing to have financial capacity and for lacking a project site. Calais LNG lost its financial backing and option to purchase its project site in 2010.
Downeast LNG is two years and three months late in answering the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's questions arising from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Answers were due on 2009 July 6.
Calais LNG vacated its offices sometime prior to July 13. A handwritten note on the door gives a phone number of one of the company's principals.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/announcements/announcements_2011.html#2011jul25
Downeast LNG is now TWO YEARS LATE answering technical questions arising from FERC'S Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The FERC deadline for answers was 2009 July 6.
Save Passamaquoddy Bay files notice to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that FERC has failed since June 2009 to inform the DOT of LNG terminal tanktop fire thermal radiation hazards to the public. The computer modeling used for thermal radiation from LNG tanktop fires was demonstrated to be critically deficient. On January 15, 1993, FERC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DOT to inform each other when a public safety hazard is identified regarding LNG and natural gas facilities. As of the SPB filing to the DOT, FERC has failed to notify the DOT of the public safety hazard identified in the 2009 filings to FERC -- FERC Downeast LNG Docket No. CP07-52, Comment Filings 20090707-5023(22040234) and 20091124-5066(23041052).
Downeast LNG responds to FERC's request demonstrating the company's title, right, or interest (TRI) in the project site; however, DeLNG does not indicate if it intends to use the site for that purpose.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2011/formal_delng_2011_03mar.html#2011mar16
FERC asks Downeast LNG to demonstrate it holds title, right, or interest (TRI; the right to use) the proposed terminal site, and asks if DeLNG intends to actually do so.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2011/formal_delng_2011_02feb.html#2011feb15
Calais LNG files to the FERC docket, admitting it has no title, right, or interest in the land required for the project; and has no financial capacity. Nevertheless, CLNG asks FERC to remain in the permitting process.
Calais LNG withdraws from Maine permitting due to lack of title, right, or interest (TRI), and lack of required technical data.
Calais LNG fails to meet FERC's deadline to demonstrate CLNG's title, right, or interest in the land required for the project, and CLNG's financial backing.
FERC writes to Calais LNG, demanding CLNG provide a schedule by December 13 as to when CLNG would secure title, right, or interest in the required land, as well as financial capacity required for permitting.
Calais LNG writes the Maine Board of Environmental Protection that if the BEP were to recommence permitting, it would be appropriate for the BEP to summarily dismiss CLNG's permits for lack of TRI and financial capacity.
Owners of the land Calais LNG requires for its project inform the Maine Board of Environmental Protection that CLNG has not renewed its option to purchase that expired on August 31; thus, CLNG does not have the required TRI for state permitting.
The US Coast Guard issues its Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA) and Letter of Recommendation (LOR) regarding LNG transits through Passamaquoddy Bay. The USCG requires Calais LNG to obtain Government of Canada cooperation and coordination for safe and secure transits through both Canadian and US waters.
Calais LNG fails to inform the Maine Board of Environmental Protection that it has lost its title, right, or interest (TRI) in the land needed for its project -- and needed for Maine and FERC permitting.
By failing to renew its option to purchase the land needed for its project, Calais LNG loses title, right, or interest needed for Maine and FERC permitting. thus, it loses title, right, or interest required for Maine and FERC permitting.
FERC restates its request of Downeast LNG for information to questions stemming from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) -- that were due on July 6, 2009..
Quoddy Bay LNG appeals Bureau of Indian Affairs Acting Eastern Regional Director's denial of QBLNG's request to reconsider cancelling the lease.
Calais LNG fails to renew its option to purchase the vast majority of the land needed for its project;.
After having just been dumped by Goldman Sachs as the project's financial backer, Calais LNG's Arthur Gelber asks Maine Gov. Baldacci for the State of Maine to pay for a new natural gas pipeline from Calais LNG to Boston.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/documents/letters/CLNG-Baldacci_re_Maine_Paying_for_Pipeline.pdf
The Bureau of Indian Affairs denies Quoddy Bay LNG's appeal of the BIA's cancellation of the lease between Pleasant Point Tribal Government and Quoddy Bay LNG, indicating that Quoddy Bay LNG had deserted the lease for failing to make lease payments.
Calais LNG announces GS Power Holdings, a wholely owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, is ending its financial backing of the CLNG project.
Downeast LNG is 12 months (1 year) late answering FERC's technical questions arising from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci lobbies FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff and other Commission members, arguing the FERC is holding up Downeast LNG's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
In truth, it is DeLNG's inability to answer FERC's questions from the Draft EIS that is delaying the FEIS.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2010/formal_delng_2010_03mar.html#2010mar18
Passamaquoddy Tribal members (members of Nulankeutomonen Nkihtakomikumon [We Take Care of the Land]) win a victory after almost 5 years of litigation against the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA -- an agency with a long history of abuse -- failed to perform its statutory Indian Trust responsibilities when approving the lease agreement between Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribal Government and Quoddy Bay LNG.
http://web.mac.com/francisv/EJ/Blog/Entries/2010/4/26_BIA_Cancels_land_lease.html
The US Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, cancels federal approval of the land lease between Pleasant Point Tribal Government and Quoddy Bay LNG.
Goldman Sachs, financial backer of Calais LNG, is accused of criminal activity.
On, or prior to, April 5, Downeast LNG's office in Robbinston was listed for sale, with for sale sign out front.
The signs at Quoddy Bay LNG's former office building are taken down.
Coler & Colantonio Inc. sues Quoddy Bay LNG for nonpayment of services.
TRC sues Quoddy Bay LNG for nonpayment of services.
Downeast LNG is 6 months late answering FERC's technical questions arising from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Calais LNG files its formal permit applications with FERC.
Dr. J.E.S. Venart again demonstrates that Downeast LNG's thermal radiation and vapor dispersion Hazard Zone calculations are deficient.
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13772051
Downeast LNG files more information with FERC that was due on July 6, 2009 -- this time about the thermal radiation hazard zone -- but the information is still incomplete.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2009/formal_delng_2009_10oct.html#2009oct30
Downeast LNG submits an incomplete response to FERC's information request stemming from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2009/formal_delng_2009_10oct.html#2009oct6
Downeast LNG files outdated information and contradictory logic to the FERC docket in an attempt to justify the project application's Purpose and Need requirement.
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13747908
FERC removes Quoddy Bay LNG from its maps of proposed LNG terminal projects.
Pleasant Point Tribal Government cancels its land leas with Quoddy Bay LNG.
The Canadian Embassy reminds FERC that Downeast LNG is required to obtain Government of Canada cooperation for safe and secure LNG ship transits; and advises that Downeast LNG withdraw its applicatins before FERC.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2009/canada_re_delng/20090715-0157(22096282).pdf
Downeast LNG fails to answer FERC's technical questions arising from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by the July 6 deadline. Even as of 2011 July 6 — TWO YEARS past the deadline — Downeast LNG still does not comply with FERC's information request.
New Brunswick, Canada, Premier Shawn Graham reminds FERC that the US has no jurisdiction over Canadian waterways, and that Downeast LNG ships are banned from entering Passamaquoddy Bay via Canadian waters.
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13735127
The US Environmental Protection Agency is critical of the Downeast LNG Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), stating, “[W]e note our disappointment that information relevant to the characterization of environmental impacts [that we supplied] is not included.”
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13735021
The US Department of the Interior files to FERC a criticism of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
"Considerable substantive information has not been included in the DEIS,” and “we recommend that the Commission prepare a supplement to the DEIS.”
Downeast LNG “has never provided any copies of any reports to the BIA [Bureau of Indian Affairs],” even though the BIA is an intervenor in these procedings.
The project would subject an undue Hazard burden on the members of Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation; plus, would negatively impact Tribal cultural resources -- Environmental Justice issues.
Another Environmental Justice issue is DeLNG’s claim that Tribal members have no aboriginal fishing rights in the waters proposed for the project."
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13734588
Downeast LNG files to FERC its opposition to extending the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) comment period.
(DeLNG then delays answering FERC's questions arising from the DEIS.)
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13728089
FERC releases the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Downeast LNG (DeLNG) project. As a result, FERC asks DeLNG for answers to numerous technical questions, and requires DeLNG to answer by July 6, 2009.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) gives Quoddy Bay LNG 30 days to vacate its leased Tribal land, due to cancellation of the ground lease for lack of lease payments.
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/news_archives/2010/quoddy_tides/05_may/2010_05may_qblng_bia.html
Nulankeyutomonen Nkihtahkomikumon (NN) sues the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a nearly 4-year non-compliance with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). NN made a FOIA request of the BIA on June 9, 2005. The BIA dribbled out documents over a lengthy period of time, and did not release documents it was obiged to release.
http://web.mac.com/francisv/EJ/Blog/Entries/2009/4/27_FOIA_CASE_UPDATE.html
The US Coast Guard issues its Downeast LNG Waterway Suitability Report, requiring DeLNG to obtain Government of Canada cooperation for secure LNG transits; otherwise, the USCG will refuse entry into US waters.
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